Storage-battery construction



Dec. 24, 1929. H. J. BARTLEY STORAGE BATTERY CONSTRUCTION Filed June 4. 1926 E Bartlej lNvENTOR ATTORN EY WITNESS:

Patented Dec. 24, 1929 HIRAM JAMEs BARTLEY, on ST. cArnAnmEs, ONTARIO, oANADA f STORAGE-BATTERY CONSTRUCTION Application filed June 4,

This invention relates to storage batteries and has for its object the provision of a novel storage battery embodying many structural characteristics which will be of great benefit and a distinct improvement in the art inasmuch as the construction is such that the battery may be readily disassembled even by an unskilled person and without any particular apparatus, the disassembling being for the purpose of effecting cleaning out of the bat-- tery or the making-of repairs and replacement thereto, the structure being different from the usual type inasmuch as the use of the sealing compound employed under ordinary circumstances is entirely eliminated, the parts being held together by detachable means whichwill permit ready access when removed. An important and more specific object of the invention is to provide a storage battery 2 in which the negative terminals of the cells are'detachably connected insteadof being sodded together as is the common practice, the cover structure being, furthermore, held in place by clamping means instead of being sealed in by plastic material applied in a molten state.

Another object is to provide a storage battery in which adequate sealing means is provided in connection with the cover for p0si-'- tively preventing the leakage of the electrolyte forming part of every storage battery.

The invention further contemplates various details of construction and arrangement which will bea step forward in the art, the entire device being, moreover, simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble and disassemble, positive in action, eflicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.'

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts to be her einafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a storage battery constructed in accordance with my invention, and

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view 1926. 7 Serial No. 113,758.

ure 1.

,taken therethrough on the line 2-2 of Fig- Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown the battery as comprising a container 01' receptac le 10 constructed of any ordinary or preferred insulating and acid resisting material.

Obviously, the casing may be of any size or shape, depending upon the capacity of the ba ttery. -At its inner 15 which are telescoped into the cells. The

cover members are formed with'depending flanges 16 which extend downwardly beyond the ledges 11 or 13, as the case may be, for the purpose of makingliqui d-tight joints so that there will be no possibility of any of the electrolyte leaking out at the top of the cover. Any suitable vent means may of course be provided for permitting escape ofthe' gases which are given off by the battery during charge or discharge.

In order that the cover 15 may be held closed firmly at all times use is made of a plurality of upstanding studs 17, which are anchored within enlarged portions 18 of the end walls and partition, these studs having disposed thereon washers 19 engaged by wing or thumb nuts 20, the purpose of the thumb nuts being to clamp the 00V compressing engagemen for making the liquid-ti er firmly down into t with the gasket 14 ght joint.

It is of course obvious that these clamping devices may be provided at any desired point and in the present instance one is disclosed as located at the centerof the partition, one at the center of each end and two on each of the longitudinal side edges of the container, though it should beunderstood that there is no limitation as to the number at any point. The covers 15 are of course provided with the usual filling openings closed by removable plugs 21 as is customar construction.

y in storage battery In order to avoid warping of the side edges of the covers, it is preferable that they have embedded therein metallic strips 22 which cuiting. As a matterof fact, it is well known will of course constitute an efiicient rein: forcement and hold these flanged portions rigidly in place and prevent distortion there of, even under the most trying circumstances. Located within the respective cells are the usual plates, not shown in detail but indicated generally at 23 there being any desired number of plates in each group and the pl ates having the usual terminals 24 and 25. Ohviously, one of the terminals 25 constitutes the positive and the other constitutes the negative, and it is equally clear that in case the cells are to be connected in series, as is customary, some means must be provided for bridging or connecting the terminals 24. In order to carry out this feature, one terminal member 24 is shown as provided with a bar 26 formed integrally therewith and overlying a portion of the next adjacent cover 15, the free end of this bar being apertured and adapted to be engaged upon a reduced threaded extension 27 on the other terminal post member 24, securing being effected by means of a suitable nut 28.

In the operation, it is of course apparent that the storage battery will act in exactly the same manner as, any other but it possesses the great advantage of eliminating use of the usual sealing compound which is provided at the top of storage batteries and which must be steamed or otherwise heated to effect softening. so that it may beremoved whenever it is necessary to have access to the interior of the battery for making repalrs or replacements in case of short cirthat theaverage lifeof a storage battery is stances.

struction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While'I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the s'ubjoined claim.- Having thus described the invention, I claim In a storage battery, a case formed to provide spaced compartments, a group of plates within each compartment, the alternate plate in each compartment having terminal lugsand a transverse bar connecting the same, a post rising from the connectingbar of the plate in one compartment and terminating .in a reduced threaded extension, and an angular member connected with the transverse bar of the plates in the other compartment, and having an apertured end engaged upon said reduced extension, and a nut screwed upon said threaded extension for securing said angular member in place.

. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature,

HIRAM JAMES BARTLEY.

It is really believed that the conabout two years, possibly a little more, and

it is equally clear that the life'could be greatly prolonged if access could be had to theinterlorfor the purpose of removing the sediment which accumulates from time to time. Under the present system it is necessary,

' when repairing a battery, to subject the same to heat .in order that the sealing compound at the top thereof may be softened and removed, subsequently to which the entire battery must be disassembled, an operation'during which it frequently occurs that the parts are so disarranged or damaged that replacement of the same parts is impossible, it be ing therefore requisite to'employ a new set of plates or make other installation of entirely new material. With the resent device it is q'liliite clear that by removing the nuts- 20 on t e securing studs the cover members may be removed 'so that the plate either singly or g in groups may alsoberemoved so that sediment may be taken out, the battery flushed and a fresh electrolyte or acid solution introdnced. Qbviousl the cost of upkeep will be greatly increase and the lengthxof life 

